Secondary links

The Messy Path to Gay Progress

Wed, 06/22/2011 - 15:16

To me, same-sex marriage is a no-brainer and long overdue. Equal treatment under the law is not a radical idea. Same-sex couples should have the same rights, benefits, and protections as opposite-sex couples.

The New York State bill to legalize same-sex marriage would not require religious institutions to perform same-sex or any other marriage they deem religiously incorrect. Religious freedom allows religions to discriminate and make rules for its faithful, but not for those outside the faith. The government has no right to make decisions about religious marriage and religions have no right to make decisions about civil marriage.

Religious freedom goes both ways. It makes no more sense for a religion to decide on my civil rights than it does for me to decide which dead people should be declared saints. I’m troubled by the way some religions discriminate against women, against gays and lesbians, against those of different or no faith, and against all who don’t subscribe to a very narrow religious doctrine. But as an advocate for freedom of religion, I acknowledge their right to take such positions.

Some give biblical justification that marriage should be between a man and a woman, just as a couple of generations ago they gave biblical justification that marriage should be between members of the same race. I could just as easily give biblical justification for marriage being between a man and no more than 700 women (I Kings 11:3). Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, which means his brain was not his most remarkable organ. Those who wish to make civil laws compatible with a particular interpretation of a so-called holy book might think about moving to one of the many theocratic countries.

Become a Secular Activist

Herb Silverman is the founder and president emeritus of the Secular Coalition for America. He received his Ph.D. in mathematics from Syracuse University and is Distinguished Professor of Mathematics at the College of Charleston. In 1990, Silverman became South Carolina's most famous atheist activist when he challenged the state's religious test for public office by entering its gubernatorial race. He is a regular contributor to The Washington Post's "On Faith" blog.

The opinions expressed here by our bloggers, viewers, and posters do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Secular Coalition for America. These views are those of their individual authors alone.